Leg and Foot Amputation Caused by Car Crash
Coming to terms with a leg or foot amputation may be the hardest thing that you have to do in your life. The sense of loss cannot be understated. During this time of grieving, recovering, and figuring out what steps to take next, it is important to be with loved ones and focus on the physical and mental healing that must take place. Part of that process is recovering the financial damages that have been caused to you by the negligent party by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Suing For Amputation and Other Injury Damages
The average cost of the initial medical procedures for a leg amputation is between $30,000 and $60,000, while follow up medical costs range from $43,000 and $60,000, according to the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association and Diabetes Self-Management. Additionally, a prosthetic costs $10,000 for a basic model, and over $70,000 for a mechanized prosthetic that can be manipulated by small muscles, according to Cost Helper. As such, the initial costs are well over $100,000 for a leg amputation, but your claim’s value does not stop there. You must take into consideration lost earning ability/capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of joy of life as well.
- Medical expenses;
- Ongoing and future medical care;
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Emotional distress;
- Property damage; and
- More.
Hidden Expenses of a Leg or Foot Amputation
The expenses for leg and foot amputations do not simply stop at the initial medical costs, lost wages, and purchasing an initial prosthetic. Living with an amputation can be incredibly expensive. The following are just a few added expenses that most people do not consider in the immediate aftermath of an amputation, but will eventually discover as they begin to heal and make adaptations to their old life. It is important to maximize your compensation to accommodate for all of these hidden expenses.
- Out of pocket co-pays;
- Non-covered treatments and prosthetics—some health insurance policies do not cover certain treatments, procedures, and the most modern prosthetics;
- Psychotherapy and related expenses caused by psychological/emotional harm and PTSD;
- New clothing or clothing modifications;
- New vehicle or vehicle modifications;
- Modifications to sports equipment;
- Modifications to other transportation vehicles, including bikes;
- Wheelchair;
- Modifications to the home;
- Business modifications for small business owners;
- Replacement parts for prosthetics;
- Maintenance/repair expenses for prosthetics;
- Replacement of prosthetic every three to five years;
- Therapy for the injured leg, including physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, dry needling, and strength training;
- Ongoing physical therapy for other parts of the body that have to compensate for the amputation. Example: if the amputee uses crutches, physical therapy, massage, and other treatment may be needed for the shoulders or arms;
- Overuse injuries and related costs for other body parts, including tennis elbow and tendonitis/arthritis in the wrists;
- Childcare and/or homecare assistance, particularly in the months following the accident; and
- More.
Our Orlando Amputation Injury Attorneys Can Help
If you suffered the loss of a leg or foot due to another road user’s negligent actions, you deserve compensation for your extensive damages. Call the Orlando personal injury attorneys at Payer Law today at 866-930-1238 to schedule a free consultation.
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